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Welcome... to the latest issue of
Beyond the Bricks!
Dear Christian Friends,
Valentine's Day is next week, and that gives us occasion to reflect on the many dimensions of love.
Jesus tells us that we are to love one another as he has loved us. This declaration comes after he has washed the feet of his disciples and shown them what true servanthood entails. Serving others is one characteristic of true love.
Serving and loving are intimately linked. We can't truly love someone unless we serve that person, and we can't truly serve someone unless we love that person. Loving and serving go hand in hand.
How well do you love and serve others? We understand loving and serving those to whom we are closest, such as spouses, parents, children, friends, and neighbors. But what about loving and serving those with whom we disagree, those we dislike, and those we don't even know? Jesus' admonition to love others as he loves us does not include any exceptions. We are to love and serve ALL of God's children.
As you celebrate Valentine's Day next week, ask yourself how well you love and serve people, ALL people, without exception.
In Christian love,
Jim Warren
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See "The Hate U Give" Movie at the Bloomington Public Library
Thursday, February 7, 2019
6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Bloomington Public Library
Community Room
205 E. Olive St.
Bloomington, IL 61701
Adults and teens in grades 6-12 are invited to come to the library to watch
The Hate U Give, a movie based on the book of the same title by Angie Thomas. Children age 12 and younger should be accompanied by a parent or caregiver.
Starr Carter is constantly switching between two worlds: the poor, mostly black, neighborhood where she lives and the rich, mostly white, prep school she attends. The uneasy balance between these worlds is shattered when Starr witnesses the fatal shooting of her childhood best friend Khalil at the hands of a police officer. Now, facing pressures from all sides of the community, Starr must find her voice and stand up for what's right. -Twentieth Century Fox
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See "Won't You Be My Neighbor" Movie at the Normal Theater
Tuesday, February 26, 2019
7:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Normal Theater
209 W. North St.
Normal, IL 61761
Free
Join the Center for Community Engagement and Service Learning for a free screening of the documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?" at the Normal Theater!
Following the screening, a panel of faculty members from the Illinois State University Department of Psychology will discuss themes of empathy within the film and answer broader questions of empathy within society.
ABOUT THE MOVIE:
For over thirty years, Fred Rogers, an unassuming minister, puppeteer, writer, and producer was beamed daily into homes across America. In his beloved television program, "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," Fred and his cast of puppets and friends spoke directly to young children about some of life's weightiest issues, in a simple, direct fashion. There hadn't been anything like Mr. Rogers on television before and there hasn't been since.
"In Won't You Be My Neighbor?," Academy Award-winning filmmaker Morgan Neville looks back on the legacy of Fred Rogers, focusing on his radically kind ideas. While the nation changed around him, Fred Rogers stood firm in his beliefs about the importance of protecting childhood.
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Become a Special Olympics Volunteer
Special Olympics
605 E. Willow St.
Normal, IL 61761
Volunteers are the foundation of Special Olympics Illinois. We depend on thousands of volunteers to help coach, conduct competitions and fundraising events, and serve on committees. On the website you'll find a variety of opportunities for which volunteers can register. February opportunities include the Winter Games.
Special Olympics is a global organization that unleashes the human spirit through the transformative power and joy of sport, every day around the world. Special Olympics Illinois is a not-for-profit organization offering year-round training and competition in 18 sports for more than 23,000 athletes with intellectual disabilities and nearly 20,000 Young Athletes ages 2-7 with and without intellectual disabilities. Special Olympics transforms the lives of people with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to realize their full potential in sports and in life. Special Olympics programs enhance physical fitness, motor skills, self-confidence, and social skills, and encourage family and community support.
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Attend "Companions on the Journey" at the Chiara Center
Lunches are the First Monday of Each Month
11:30 a.m.
Chiara Center
4875 LaVerna Road
Springfield, IL 62707
$20 per person
Companions on the Journey is the name of a new lunch-time gathering for seniors held monthly to promote positive social connections, to offer an array of speakers on relevant spiritual topics, and to encourage people to enjoy the beautiful spaces at the Chiara Center. Following a delicious lunch, speakers will offer a 15-20 minute presentation and discussion period. Participants are then welcome to stay for the duration of the afternoon to walk the grounds or to visit any of the spaces, such as the magnificent Church of St. Francis, that characterize this as a place of peace and quiet reflection.
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Featuring: Bob Muzikowski, Founder of Chicago Hope Academy
Tuesday, March 5, 2019
Breakfast at 6:00 a.m. Speaker 6:45-7:45 a.m.
DoubleTree by Hilton, Bloomington, IL
Tickets
$25
All men are invited to the Men's Lenten Breakfast. This year will be the 66th year and will feature Bob Muzikowski, founder of Chicago Hope Academy. The Men's Lenten Breakfast is one of the oldest and best-known traditions of Immanuel Bible Foundation and continues to inspire over 300 men each year.
Music, food, fellowship and a heartfelt message will usher in the season as men meet, relax and enjoy a very special Tuesday morning.
Tickets are $25 each and can be purchased at Broadview Mansion, 1301 S. Fell Ave., Normal, online at www.ibfoundation.org or by contacting Annette Klinzing at (309) 452-6710.
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Help Serve a Meal at Abundant Life in Christ Church
Sundays
First Christian Church is Serving March 17, 2019
Abundant Life in Christ Church
108 E. Market St.
Abundant Life's mission is "to lead people to saving faith in Jesus Christ by sharing the Gospel, as defined in the Holy Scriptures (1 Corinthians 15:3-6).
We exist to help people get from where they are to where God wants them to be (Philippians 3:13-14)."
Continued contributions are needed along with helpers to serve or make desserts for the meals FCC serves. Sign up at the FCC Information Center or contact Julie Robinson (jerobinson21409@yahoo.com) if you would like to help on the above date and for details. Or contact Abundant Life (309) 232-8702 to help in any other way.
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Participate in or Get Involved with
Tee It UP! For The GFPD 2019
May 16 and 17, 2019
Weibring Golf Club
This year our Reception and Silent Auction will be Thursday, May 16th from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and our Golf Scramble will be Friday, May 17th, with tee times at 8:00 a.m. or 1:30 p.m. Weibring Golf Club will once again be hosting our event, and lunch will be included for all golfers. Golf spots have filled up quickly in the past, so don't wait and sign up today!
We're using a new website platform for registration this year that will provide us some additional capabilities, so please let us know if you have any questions as you register. If you're signing up for both the Reception and the Golf Scramble, you'll just need to do two separate transactions. You can also donate to our event or buy sponsorships directly through the website.
Our volunteers are amazing and truly make our event what it is and we couldn't make it happen without you! Please sign up today to volunteer. If you signed up in prior years, please fill out the form again at the link below so we have an updated list.
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Around the Community
Click on any organization to access its website and learn about support/volunteer opportunities
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First Christian Church |
info@blmfcc.org| 309 829-9327 |
www.blmfcc.com
401 West Jefferson St. Bloomington, IL 61701
Bloomington's Oldest Continuing Congregation
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